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Initiative vs. Guilt
In 1944, Johnny Cash's older brother Jack - had an accident with an unguarded table saw at work and died a week later. His mother had been urging Jack to skip work to go fishing with Johnny, but Jack had instead insisted on working, as the family had needed the money. Johnny Cash often spoke of the guilt he felt over the incident, and spoke of looking forward to one day again meeting his brother. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Johnny's first wife filed for divorce in 1966 due to his infidelity and his drug and alcohol addiction. Johnny later re-married again to June, who he had met on tour and fell in love with and married. Throughout their marriage, June continuously tried to keep Johnny off drugs by flushing them down the toilet. -
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
June Carter, Johnny's wife had died in May and had told Johnny to keep working and recording even after she was gone. Johnny had gone on to record 60 songs in the last four years of his life and even showed up to entertain at surprise shows.